Miniature American Shepherd

The Miniature American Shepherd is an affectionate dog. If you are looking for an animal that will get along with children and babysit them, this is the one. But, be warned. Because it is a herding dog, it may tend to stalk children. Because of improper training, the animal will “herd” family members. Your job is to prevent this behavior.

Breed Photos

Origin History

First, the Australian Shepherd was bred, then this dog appeared in a slightly smaller size. It was called the American Pygmy Shepherd. This happened in 1960.

The breeders’ goal was to reduce the growth of the other dog’s breed. At the same time, such positive qualities as intelligence and endurance were to remain. About 49 years ago, the Miniature American Shepherd breed was officially registered.

Appearance

The dog has a muscular build. The Miniature American Shepherd is of medium size.

Males reach a height of almost 50 cm. Females are slightly smaller – 45 cm. The weight of the American pygmy sheepdog ranges from 15 to 18 kg. The dog has a thick and long coat. Colors come in different colors: blue marble, red, black, brown.

Character

The Miniature American Shepherd is an affectionate dog. If you are looking for an animal that will get along with children and babysit them, this is the one. But, be warned. Because it is a herding dog, it may tend to stalk children. Because of improper training, the animal will “herd” family members. Your job is to prevent this behavior.

If you raise the animal correctly, the Miniature American Shepherd will be the best companion. It will be friends with all family members. It is an intelligent dog breed, and it is easy to teach discipline and commands.

The beginner may have difficulty with the independent nature of the dog. He is used to not depending on anyone. The animal has its vision of what is going on. This point needs to be worked out and not allow the dog to make decisions in the house, during training on his own. This is not an aggressive dog breed. The animal will never bark for no reason, much less bite.

Care

Future dog owners need to consider the fact that the dog has a long coat. It needs to be groomed. It is necessary to brush the American dwarf dog three times a week. Wash his paws after every walk and his body as needed.

The owner needs to keep the pet’s ears and teeth clean. This is a mandatory part of the pet’s care.

Training

The Miniature American Shepherd is an intelligent dog. It is easy to train. The dog enjoys obeying commands. You need to walk and exercise the dog a lot, as it is an active and hardy breed. The animal enjoys activities.

Such a dog can safely live in an apartment, provided it is actively walked. Since it is a herding dog, it tends to be independent. This will not be to the owner’s advantage. Therefore, any attempts to prove themselves should be immediately cut off. You need to praise the dog, interact with it and spend time with it. In this case, the owner will have a full understanding of the animal.

Common Diseases

You are lucky because it is a very healthy dog. It has no predisposition to any diseases. The most important thing is that they have a healthy heart. There is also no propensity for genetic diseases.

Nutrition

The Miniature American Shepherd is unpretentious about food. What to feed the dog – natural or dry food – is up to the owner. In both cases, you need to make sure that the dog has a balanced diet. The dog must have constant access to water.